Olympic Torch visits Iconic King’s Cross Nature Reserve

Thursday 26th July 2012

Olympic Torch at London WT's Camley Street Natural Park

Nature lovers are gathering bright and early this morning to welcome the Olympic Torch to Camley Street Natural Park - an internationally acclaimed nature reserve on the banks of the Regent’s Canal – managed by London Wildlife Trust.

Visitors to the site are accustomed to being inspired by the surprising variety of wildlife – from earthstar fungi and reed warblers to kingfishers and bats - that can be found in this special wild space in the urban heart of London. Today the Olympic spirit will also be in evidence as the Torch travels around the park on its procession down the Regent’s Canal.

To celebrate the arrival of the Torch at one of London’s iconic nature sites, London Wildlife Trust will be running an Animal Olympics to engage Londoners with the incredible wildlife we have on our doorsteps.

Carlo Laurenzi OBE Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust says, ‘The Olympic spirit is coming to Camley Street and it’s an opportunity for everyone to focus on the spirit of determination that has led to London having incredible nature reserves like Camley Street Natural Park for wildlife and people to enjoy. Back in 1982-3 the Trust, the local community and other activists saved an old coal yard from development and helped to create this amazing freely accessible nature reserve.

‘In this London’s Olympic year we hope people will be inspired by the amazing athletes but also by our city’s incredible nature. And we hope that in the aftermath of the Olympics there will be a natural legacy for Londoners to enjoy. We want the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to be rich in wildlife and accessible for all. That’s why the Trust has set out its vision for A Natural Legacy of the 2012 Games. Commitments made by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and its predecessor, Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), need to be delivered as promised. We’re here to help LLDC deliver its biodiversity pledges’, adds Carlo.

To find out more about the history of Camley Street Natural Park, A Natural Legacy of the 2012 Games or our Animal Olympics go to www.wildlondon.org.uk